Molloy earns Republic of Ireland recall for Euro play-off
The last of Ellen Molloy's six caps came back in September 2022
- Published
Ellen Molloy has been recalled to the Republic of Ireland squad for next week's Euro 2025 play-off against Georgia.
Midfielder Molloy, who recently joined Sheffield United from Wexford, has not played for her country since a Women's World Cup qualifier against Slovakia in September 2022, with an anterior cruciate ligament injury curtailing her progress.
With goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan suspended, uncapped Athlone Town stopper Katie Keane has earned a call-up.
Brosnan is unavailable for the first leg in Tbilisi on 25 October but will link up with the squad for the return match in Dublin four days later.
Heather Payne and Kyra Carusa also return after missing the qualifiers against England and France in July, but Megan Campbell (ankle), Jess Ziu (knee), Ruesha Littlejohn (Achilles) and Jamie Finn (knee) are injured while Emily Murphy is unavailable.
The Republic of Ireland are aiming to qualify for the European Championship for the first time after making their World Cup debut last year.
Eileen Gleeson's side are expected to beat Georgia, who are ranked nearly 100 places below them in 118th.
The Republic of Ireland won 11-0 in Dublin and 9-0 in Gori when the sides last met in 2023 World Cup qualifying.
Victory in the two-legged tie would set up a second-round play-off against Slovakia or Wales.
Next year's Euros will take place in Switzerland between 2 and 27 July.
Republic of Ireland squad
Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (London City Lionesses), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic), Katie Keane (Athlone Town)
Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (Sunderland, on loan from West Ham United), Diane Caldwell (FC Zurich), Louise Quinn (Birmingham City), Niamh Fahey (Liverpool), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Caitlin Hayes (Celtic), Anna Patten (Aston Villa)
Midfielders: Katie McCabe (Arsenal), Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Lily Agg (Birmingham City), Ellen Molloy (Sheffield United), Heather Payne (Everton), Izzy Atkinson (Crystal Palace), Eva Mangan (Cork City)
Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Leanne Kiernan (Liverpool), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Julie-Ann Russell (Galway United), Marissa Sheva (Portland Thorns)